Honda developing 7-seater MPV for India; codenamed '2NH'

The new MPV based on the Honda Jazz platform is expected to arrive in India by 2014.

Honda Siel Cars India is reportedly, working on a new seven-seater MPV for India, which is codenamed as '2NH' that will challenge the likes of Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, Mahindra Xylo and the Toyota Innova.

The new MPV will be developed on the same lines as the current Malaysian-spec MPV called Honda Freed, which in turn is based on the same platform as the next generation Honda Jazz with three rows of seating for 7 adults. The Malaysian-spec Freed with be Indianised, localized and in the process is bound to ditch some of its features before it lands on the Indian shores.

The Honda 2NH MPV for India will come with a wide range of engine options for both petrol and diesel variants, with more emphasis on the diesel version owing to the higher demand of diesel powered vehicles in the Indian market and also the much awaited Honda's Earth Dreams series of diesel engines is expected to debut in the coming months.

The current Honda Freed MPV packs in high quality of interiors, much like the Honda Jazz and is distinct for its small engine compartment and large cabin space for passengers and luggage. It will certainly be interesting to see, how the Japanese automaker re-shapes the Freed into the India-spec 2NH and also the price tag it will bring along to compete with one of the lowest priced MPV, the Ertiga in India.